In regards to the election results that indicate split mandate, a sustained campaign has been triggered by some external handles and also reinforced by internal social media suggesting that the majority of people have voted to express their dislike of the role of establishment in the elections and that the establishment did not understand the public sentiment. This propaganda ostensibly has two objectives. The first is to rub in the notion that the establishment is secluded and isolated. Secondly, the people at large have anti-establishment feelings. This is a very dangerous narrative from national perspective as it sends very wrong signals to the outside world.
The inferences drawn in this propaganda need to be examined on the touch stone of reality and proper context. The reality check indicates that 48% voters exercised their right while 52 % did not bother to come out of their houses. So against a wave of high voter turn out supporting PTI the overall turn out was less than 2018 elections. From the winning percentage it is clear that out these 48%, those who voted for PTI backed candidates could at best won 30-35 NA seats. Therefore the vote manipulatively taken as anti-establishment is technically and realistically wrong. Those who voted for PTI candidates voted for multiple reasons, including the impact of the anti-establishment rhetoric persistently hammered without any credible evidence. Even where the PTI candidates won the margin of lead was not big meaning thereby that a substantial part of the people rejected the anti-establishment narrative of PTI. So logically speaking all those elements which have launched anti-establishment rhetoric with respect to election results,, have no credible basis to support their contention.
WASA startspre-monsoon measures The election results actually demolish the propaganda about establishment having any manipulative role. Had it been so then the PTI would not have won the National Assembly seats in large numbers that it and some of the heavy weight politicians of PML(N) and other parties would not have been defeated. PTI almost sweeping in KPK is yet another irrefutable evidence of establishment allowing the people to decide without any interference. These realities amply testify hands-off policy by the establishment rather than resorting to macro-management of the results.
This propaganda by PTI is naïve like the one it launched on the eve of filing of nomination papers for the elections persistently claiming that its candidates were being prevented from filing their papers. The falsehood of this contention was proven when it transpired that the number of candidates of PTI who filed their nomination papers was greater than candidates of any other party. It was quite embarrassing but the party and its social media stalwarts have not learnt their lessons. They are again repeating that mistake by trying to distort facts and building anti-establishment sentiments among the public.
Political Frenzy The establishment which is keen on focusing on fifth generational warfare should have anticipated the move by PTI to use Form 45 and initially exaggerated results announced by paid and allied media channels combined with foreign handles and lobbyists. That is where establishment probably erred thinking that as the results would come in they would themselves showcase their impartiality. In the permeating scenario it is therefore important that facts and ground realities are allowed to be heard and counted in regards to developing perceptions rather than letting biases and assumptions to govern them.
Now that the people have given split mandate it is responsibility of all the political stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to according top priority to national interests and through their collective wisdom find a perennial solution to keep political instability at bay to overcome the formidable challenges confronting the country in the domain of economy, security, climate change and governance. Although I do not like to use clichés but I honestly feel and it is also an undisputed opinion of all the people that the country is really at the cross-roads. In a situation like this politicking can wait for better times.
Land Accountability It is a now or never opportunity for the politicians to put the country back on track. There is an imperative need for construct a coalition government of all parties and drawing up long terms policies based on consensus in regards to preparations for successful engagement with IMF; how to control inflation that is badly affecting lives of the masses as well as creating job opportunities for the people and reducing poverty levels; how budgetary deficit can be pulled down and current and trade deficits can be managed on perennial basis; how to reduce debt liabilities; what measures are needed to attract foreign direct investments; what tax reforms are required to generate required revenues; how to deal with looming climate challenge; what role the political parties can play in strengthening efforts of the armed forces and law enforcing agencies to combat and eliminate the menace of terrorism and enhancing the capacity of LEAs especially police to counter terrorists effectively.
Coalition Challenges In the backdrop of the foregoing it is really encouraging to note that as a result of post-election political engagements six parties including PML(N), PPP,PML(Q), IPP, MQM and BAP have agreed to form a coalition government at the centre. It is absolutely essential that these parties become the part of the coalition in the real sense and collectively share the responsibility of the policies that are adopted. It would have been an ideal situation if the PTI-backed independent group had also shown the grace to rise up to the occasion by abandoning their policy of confrontation and persisting with its anti-establishment stance.
Since PTI is not likely to form government at the centre it should focus on KPK where it has clear mandate and let the legal channels decide their grievances regarding their rigging claims and avoid creating chaos and unrest in the country forcing the state to deal with the situation with iron hands.
Cartoon Leaders are supposed to unite the nation not divide it which unfortunately is a reality at the moment due to divisive and confrontational policies of PTI and improvident behaviour of its founding chairman. The party needs to rethink its political creed if it desires to remain relevant to the political landscape of the country.
Malik Muhammad Ashraf
The writer is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at ashpak10@gmail.com.
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